In 1976 four young men from ruined, post-industrial Manchester, England, went to see the Sex Pistols. Inspired by the Pistol's chaotic sounds, they formed their own band - Joy Division.

A chronological account of the influential British rock band of the late 70s, Joy Division follows the unlikely rise of these working class kids up to Ian Curtis's suicide, which tore the band apart until it was reborn as New Order.

Featuring the unprecedented participation of the surviving band members (now known as New Order), the film examines the band's story as depicted through never-before-seen live performance footage, personal photos, period films and newly discovered audiotapes. With poignant narratives from surviving members of the band - Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook and Stephen Morris - as well as accounts from Throbbing Gristle musician Genesis P. Orridge, late legendary Factory Records owner Tony Wilson, iconic Factory Records graphic artist Peter Saville, photographer/filmmaker Anton Corbijn, Belgian journalist Annik Honore and others, the film is a fresh visual account of a time and place.